Neal abandons the hot chocolate, starting to take Malcolm’s hand, but he stops himself after a moment and switches hands. Like the other one will leave a ghost of blood on Malcolm somehow.

It doesn’t take very long to get a cab, and on the way out Neal spots Christina, Alessa, and Nina, gathered in a little bubble of human warmth.

Neal rests his face against Malcolm’s shoulder for a moment, then he straightens up again to make sure he doesn’t fall down the stairs.